Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

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  its slow but it gets you there - 1993 Honda Civic
  By porksoda1 - January 6 - 10:14 pm

  I traded a beat down 97 blazer for my 93 civic coupe. The car has 230,000 miles and still runs strong. It has the 1.6 vtec and a 5 speed manual. Its slow and its ugly but it gets 35 mpg. The handling is amazing though. My civic is lowered a couple inches and has a little negative camber and you can throw it into some corners at fairly high speeds. Its no hot rod but it gets me where i need to go.

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  First Honda, now 6 mo. old - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By janemy - January 6 - 3:22 pm

  This is my first Honda and I love it. I test drove a lot of cars 6 months ago and narrowed it down to 2, the CRV and the equinox. Id driven the Equinox on a long road trip so I knew well how it handled. I ended up with the Honda as it felt better sitting inside, more open. Also, I loved that it had more cargo room. After 6 mo. of driving Im still extremely happy with the car. I have 15,000 mi on it so far, and no issues. I drive both city, highway and mountains. I average between 28 - 31 mpg driving about 70 mph. Less if Im doing street driving only (22 - 24). My 62" husband can sit and drive comfortably.

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  Great commute car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By offroad87 - January 5 - 7:42 pm

  Bought the car new in 2007 for commuting to replace a Camaro. Si is quick enough to commute and move easily in all kinds of traffic. It gives me average 23 mpg even when I drive it hard. Car is reliable, fun, and not so thirsty. Back seat space isnt that great for adults, but dont mind since I use it to commute. I will be repainting the whole car since the paint isnt that great. After 80k car has been reliable and looks like it will go for another 10 years.

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  Moving from 2010 Touring AWD w/DVD/RES to 2013 - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By assassin11b3p - January 4 - 2:37 pm

  What I love about this vehicle (2010), is how it works so damned good in the real world. As mentioned in the article, its boxy shape means large items go in without any worries, unlike the RX330 we traded-up from and all of its slopes. Its third row accommodates even my large body (5-10, 235lbs), and 8 people can travel in comfort. The fuel mileage is excellent too- nearly showing 25mpg on a week-long trip a couple years ago, and needing only about 2 tanks of gas to travel from TN to MS and then AL, and back, with a lot of driving in between (and on regular fuel), really impressed me. No, it doesnt have Suburban-class towing, but I dont need that. And its not a large vehicle!

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  I Love Everything About This Car - 1999 Honda Civic
  By maddogca - January 2 - 9:46 pm

  It was my very first car in high school and it has been in the family since my dad bought it brand new. This car was probably the best car I have ever owned! The vehicle is so reliable that you have to try really hard to destroy these things. The seats are so plush and so comfortable, if I ever buy a car with cloth seating, it would be that car! The gas mileage is also quite impressive on these cars. Why I ever got rid of it, I will never know.

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  Forget Consumer Reports - 2012 Honda Civic
  By subarubiker - January 2 - 5:27 pm

  The fact that Honda only made slight changes to the Coupe for 2013 shows the 2012 was a great car. I have a Dyno Blue Coupe EX with the 5-speed manual, absolutely stunning and sporty looking. This is my first manual car and I love it it has a smooth-shifting stick and a very easy to modulate clutch thats a breeze in traffic. It gets great mileage on regular gas, getting 28mpg combined in winter temperatures with snow tires. The ride is a bit loud, but it handles very well and is a big upgrade over the past Civics with the handy i-Mid and the great 7-speaker sound system. Seats are very comfy! The only thing that lacks in the Civic is winter handling- winter tires transformed my Civic.

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  Love my EP3 - 2003 Honda Civic
  By tomjaaahallo - January 1 - 10:50 pm

  I bought my Si in may 2012 with 140k and now it has 154k. This was the first car Ive bought with my own money, and I am extremely satisfied. The 2.0L 4 has just enough hp to have fun but still is capable over over 30 mpg highway. The shifter is very easy to use and the handling is very responsive. Most of all, this car is extremely reliable. I have only needed brakes put on the car after purchasing, other than that no problems have surfaced. The best way to sum up this car is deceptively quick, deceptively room y (especially the rear seat), and deceptively reliable. I will definitely look at another Si when the time to get a new car comes, but for now I am extremely happy with my 03!

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  100K+ miles and almost zero complaints - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By dmullins281 - January 1 - 8:42 pm

  I bought my Ridgeline in 2007, I had to wait for almost 3 weeks for it to be built and delivered and have been happy ever since. I have had zero issues with it, other than the required services and replacing things that wear out with use. The only 2 issues I have with it would be that I had hoped for better gas mileage (its essentially the same as a full size F-150), and there are slight blind spots when looking to the rear sides. Ive used this as an SUV and to the fullest extent of a truck and never had a single problem. With over 100K miles on it, it still drives like a new vehicle, nothing rattles or feels loose, if you didnt see the mileage, youd never even guess it had over 100K.

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  55k miles, almost 6 years - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By jimbo118 - January 1 - 12:12 am

  I almost in 6 years of ownership at 55k miles. The original tires lasted me 50k miles. I am still on the original brakes! No complaints about this car, its fantastic. Ive only had one minor problem fixed under warranty. I had a AC that whistled under acceleration. A valve was replace under warranty and that is fine now. This is a great reliable car that gets an average of 24mpg.

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  First Honda in 35 years but not the last. - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By kawliga - December 31 - 8:50 am

  My wife steered me towards this vehicle to replace a Town and Country which was getting long in the tooth. I balked at the SUV thing for a long time and now realize I may have been in error thinking this way. I needed a vehicle that would tow a light utility trailer and get reasonable gas mileage. Just got back from a trip to Florida from mid Missouri. Best mileage was 31 on the highway, worst was 27 in town driving. Comfortable at highway speeds, nimble and responsive when a truck came into our lane without warning. Purchased without waiting for the new RAV 4 to become available and not sorry (we have a Camry so I am not anti-Toyota). Glad Honda builds this.